Auxiliary eye and face shield for welding helmets



NOV. 15, 1949 c, BQWERS 2,487,848

AUXILIARY EYE AND FACE SHIELD FOR WELDING HELMETS Filed Feb. 28, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l v INVENTOR. C/mzws fm/vs 50/4 5125 m5 Arne/vex Nov. 15, 1949 c. E. BowERs AUXILIARY EYE AND FACE SHIELD FOR WELDING HELMETS Filed Feb. 28 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 R WW m5 V 4 5 H m C Patented Nov. 15, 1949 i;

AUXILIARY EYE AND FACE SHIELD FOR WELDING HELMETS Charles E. Bowers, Moylan, Pa., assignor to Fibre Metal Products Company, Chester, Pa., a partnership consisting of Frederick M. Bowers, Charles E. Bowers, and John W. Bowers Application February 28, 1945, Serial No. 580,161

This invention relates to face protective equipment, and is concerned primarily with an auxiliary 'eye and face shield which is intended to be employed in conjunction with a welders helmet. At the present time, the use of the conventional welders helmet is widespread and fairly well conventionalized. Such a helmet ordinarily includes a headgear which is adapted to be snugly fit on the head of a wearer, and which comprises an adjustable head encircling band, together with an arcuate cross piece which passes over the top of the head of the wearer. Pivotally mounted on this headgear is a fibrous shield which is shaped to conform generally to the front of the wearer's head, so as to provide the desired protecting effects. Thisshield is formed with a window opening in which are mounted the usual ray filter and associated protecting glasses.

The now general and common practice is for the welder to maintain the shield in its downwardly swung protective position only during the actual welding operations. When the welder is chipping or cleaning his weld or inspecting the work, he swings the helmet up into an out-of-theway position, over the top of his head. With the now available protective equipment, when the helmet is in this upraised position, the workmans face, and particularly in the region of the eyes, is unprotected and is susceptible of being damaged by flying particles of oxide and scale, and if other welders are working in close proximity, there is grave danger of receiving flashes or injurious rays from the welding arcs of these other workmen.

With these conditions in mind, this invention has in view, as its foremost objective, the provision of an auxiliary shield which is susceptible of operative association with the conventional welding helmet and which serves as a protection for the eyes and/or face of the wearer. In attaining this objective, the invention proposes the use of either a "clear glass or colored glass which is,

transparent and which covers so much of a wear ers face as is desired to be protected when the helmet is in upraised position.

More in detail the invention has as an object, the provision of an auxiliary eye and face shield of the character above noted which includes means whereby it is adapted to be anchored in effective position to the present day conventional welding helmet. In carrying out this idea in a practical embodiment, the auxiliary shield is provided with means for attaching it to the headband of the welding helmet headgear.

Still another object of the invention, is the provision of an auxiliary face and eye shield of 10 Claims. (Cl. 2-8) the type above indicated, together with means for so mounting the shield as to permit it to be swung into and out of protective position. An important feature of the invention resides in the fact that this pivotal movement of the auxiliary shield is entirely independent of the corresponding movements on the part of the welding helmet.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an auxiliary eye and face shield of the character above noted, which includes a curved anchoring strip whichis designed to conform generally to the curvature of the headband of the welding helmet headgear. Associated with this curved strip is a sweatband which is adapted to be wrapped about both the strip itself and the adjacent portion of the headband, when the two are assembled in close proximity to each other to establish a connection therebetween. Associated with this sweatband are suitable devices for maintaining the wrapped relation.

The shield element itself is mounted on a curved band from which it depends, and the extremities of this curved band are pivotally connected to the corresponding ends of the strip which is anchored to the headband. V

Another more detailed object of the invention is the provision, in an auxiliary eye and face shield of the character above noted, of frictional devices for maintaining the auxiliary shield in an adjusted position.

Another highly important object of the invention is the provision of an auxiliary face shield of the type indicated which includes means for adjusting the curvature of the shield element itself, so as to fit the requirements of any particular user. In attaining this objective, each end of the band which carries the shield proper, is formed with a plurality of openings, any one of j which is designed to constitute a part of a pivotal connection with the strip that is anchored to the headband. Thus, by employing the proper openings ,in establishing the pivotal connections, the curvature may be varied within a wide range.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages of the invention, such as arise in connection with carrying out the above noted thoughts in a practical embodiment, will in part become apparent, and in part be, hereinafter stated as the description of the invention 'pro-..

ceeds. The invention, therefore, comprises an auxiliary eye and face shield which includes means for detachably securing the'same in operative posltion on the headband of -a welding helmet. The auxiliary shield comprises a curved. strip together with a sweatband which is adapted to be wrapped about the strip and the headband of a welding helmet headgear when the strip is placed in close proximity thereto, and detachable fastening means for maintaining the wrapped relation. The shield element itself is of proper design and dimensions to cover that portion of the face which is to be protected, and has a curved formation, the curvature being determined by a band to which it is anchored. Provision is made for pivotally attaching the ends of this band to the strip aforesaid at different points, so as to not only establish a pivotal connectiorn but vary the curvature of the shield element as occasion demands. Friction devices associated with the pivotal mountings maintain the shield in an adjusted position. N

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an auxiliary eye and face shield, made. in accordance with the precepts of this invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational showing of the auxiliary shield illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed view taken as a section through the anchoring strip; and

Figure 4 is a side view showing the manner in which the auxiliary shield is employed in conjunction with a welding helmet.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding .parts, and first more particularly to Figure 4, a welding helmet is therein illustrated as mounted on the head of a user. This helmet is identified in its entirety by the reference character H. The. helmet H comprises a mask II] which ordinarily is made from a fibre composition which is susceptible of being molded into the desired shape, and is now well known in this art. The mask 10 is shaped to conform generally to the contour of the front part of the head of the user, although of a greater radius, as it is intended to be spaced therefrom. The mask I is formed with a window opening with which is associated the filter glass holder ll, together with the usual ray filter and protective glasses.

The mask I0 is pivotally mounted, as indicated at l2, on a headgear which comprises a. head encircling band 13 and an arcuate cross piece l 4 which extends over the top of the head of the wearer. The head encircling band [3 is rendered adjustable in length by the device in: dicated generally at 15, which may be operated to snugly fit the headgear on the users head. Adjustable headbands ofthis type are now well known and available to the purchasing public. It is evident that the headgear is intended to be more or less permanently mounted on the head of the welder during his working hours, and that the mask ID will assume either the full line position illustrated, in which it protects the face and head of the wearer, or will be swung up into the out-of-the-way position represented by the dotted lines of Figure 4, in which the face of thewear'er is left unprotected.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, the auxiliary face shield which is provided in accordance with the precepts of this invention, is referred to in its entirety by the reference character A. The shield A comprises a strip l6 which may be made of the usua'l fibre composition and which has a certain amount of flexibility. The strip I6 is intended to be placed up against the front portion of the head e11- circling band 13.

Referring now to Figure 3, it will be noted that a sweatband designated at I! has one edge anchored to the front or outer face of the strip [6. This anchorage may-be effected in any preferred manner; although theinvention has particularly in mind the use of a plurality of elements of snap fasteners. One of such elements is shown at I8 and comprises a male part I9 which extends through an opening in the strip l6 and which, at the back, has a flange 20 engaging the re'ar face of the strip IS. A female part 2| isv provided with a flange 22. When the female part 21' receives the male part l9 one edge of the sweatband is clamped to the front face of the strip l6, in the manner illustrated. The other edge of the sweatband I1 is provided a corresponding number of complemental elements of the snap fasteners, such as indicated at 23.

l?rior to the positioning of the strip l6 against the head encircling band l3, the sweat band [1,,

is unwrapped. After the strip and headband are assembled, the sweatband is wrapped about the two and the elements 23 snapped onto the elements l8 to maintain the assembled relation. At each end the strip I6 is provided with an opening which is shown in dotted lines at 24 in Figure 2, and each of which openings is designed to receive a pivot pin in a manner to be later described.

A band 25 which also is preferably of fibre composition and which has the property 'of flexibility to a required degree, is formed at each end with a plurality of openings 26, any one of which is designed to receive a pivot pin. Depending downwardly :from the band 25 is a flexible transparent shield element 27. The upper edge of this shield element 2-! overlies and engages the band 25 and is secured thereto in any preferred manner, such as by the fastening elements shown at 28, any desired number of which maybe employed.

At this point, it is well to note that the shield element 21 may take either the form of a clear glass or colored glass. On occasions when the workman is working under solitary conditions, there is no danger of his receiving flashes or injurious rays from other workmen in the vicinity. Under these conditions, the use of the clear glass is indicated 'because there is no impairment of vision. However, when other welders are in the vicinity, and there is danger of being injured by flashes from other welding arcs, colored glass" will be employed.

Under many conditions a shield element 21 which covers only that region of the face in the immediate vicinity of the eyes, will prove to be suificien't, and that is the form of shield which is illustrated as the preferred embodiment of the invention. Thus, it is 'noted that the shield element 2! is formed at the front with a notch or recess 29 which [snugly receives the nose of the wearer. Moreover, the complete edge of the shield element 21 is provided with a bead in the form of a fabric lining 30 which engages the skin of the wearer and eliminates any possibility of the edge of the glass going th'ereinto. However, it is particularly important to note that the shield element 21 may 'taik'e the form of a transparent shield which extends over and protects the entire face of the wearer.

' It is also important to note that the shield element 21 is of a flexible nature which permits it 'to be deformed into the shape necessary to have it conform to the wearers face. Flexible glass of this character isnow well known and available to thepublicv v e Referring now more particularly to Figure 2, it is noted that apivot pin-and associated instrumentalities' are operatively assembled in the openings-'24 and 26 of the strip I6 and band 25, respectively. Inasmuch as these pivotal connections are duplicates, only oneof' them needs here be described for the purposes'of' this specificatio'n. One of these pivot pins is designated 3l and has a fiat head 32 which engages the inner face of the strip IS. The pin 3| extends through one of the openings 24 and one of the openings 26. The selection of just what opening 26 through which the pin 3| passes, depends on the degree of curvature which is desired in the band 25. Between the strip H and the band 25 there is a spacing washer 33. On the outer face of the band 25, the pin 3| is threaded, as shown at 34. Screwed onto this threaded portion is a nut 35. Between the nut 35 and band 25 are a flat washer 36 and a spring washer 31, which may take the cup shape form illustrated. The outer periphery of the nut 35 may be knurled to facilitate manual gripping thereof.

It is obvious that by tightening the nut 35, a required amount of friction at the pivotal connection may be created due to the presence of the spring washer 31. This friction is employed to hold the shield element 21 in adjusted position.

One of the main practical advantages of the present invention lies in the fact that the auxiliary shield A may be attached to the headband of any welding helmet now in use, through the medium of wrapping the sweatband ll thereonto in the manner above described.

Another big advantage lies in the fact that the auxiliary shield may be swung into and out of its protective position entirely independently of the welding helmet H. Thus, a welding helmet H may be either raised or lowered while the auxiliary shield A is in protective position, or the welding helmet H may be either raised or lowered while the auxiliary shield A is in the upraised position depicted by dotted lines in Figure 4.

Moreover, by employing the proper openings 28 to receive the pivot pins 3|, the curvature of this shield element 21 may be varied to conform to the needs of any particular user. When once adjusted, the curvature of the shield is positively maintained and all likelihood of slipping or changing the curvature as an incident to loosening of the holding means, is eliminated.

While a preferred specific embodiment of the invention is hereinbefore set forth, it is to be clearly understood that the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting the invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An auxiliary eye and face shield of the character described comprising a strip, means for securing said strip to the headgear of a welding helmet, and a flexible shield element pivotally mounted adjacent to the extremities of said strip.

2. An auxiliary eye and face shield of the character described comprising an arcuate strip, means for detachably securing said strip to the headgear Of a welding helmet, a curved band having its ends pivotally connected to said strip,

and a curvedflexible shield element depending from'said band. v .3. An auxiliary eye and-face shield of the character described comprising an arcuate strip, -a sweatband having one edge secured toone face. of said strip, detachable'fastening elements associated with said sweatband and strip and adapted to beconnected to maintain a wrapped condition of said sweatband about saidstrip and a headband of a headgear, a curved'bandhaving its ends pivotally connected to said strip,.and a flexible shield element depending from said band 4. An auxiliary eye and face shield of thecharacter described comprising an arcuate strip, means for detachably securing said strip to a headband of a welding helmet headgear, a curved band having its ends pivotally joined to the ends of said strip, means for varying the curvature of said band, and a flexible shield element depending from said band.

5. An auxiliary eye and face shield of the character described comprising an arcuate strip, means for detachably securing said strip to a headband of a welding helmet headgear, a curved band, pivotal connections between the ends. of said strip and band, means for varying the curve.- ture of said band, friction devices associated with said pivotal connections, and a curved flexible shield depending from said band.

6. An auxiliary eye and face shield of the character described comprising an arcuate strip having an opening formed at each end thereof, a sweatband having one edge secured to one face of said strip, said sweatband being adapted to be wrapped about the headband of a welding helmet headgear, means for maintaining the wrapped relation of said sweatband, a curved band having a plurality of openings formed adjacent to each end thereof, a curved flexible shield element depending from said band, a pivot pin extending through each opening in said strip and one of the openings of the corresponding end of said band, means for spacing said strip and band at said pivot pins, friction devices associated with said pivot pins, and a nut on each pivot pin for maintaining the assembled relation and creating a desired amount of friction in said friction devices.

7. In a welding helmet comprising an outer shield and headgear on which the shield is pivotally mounted, a depending inner protecting shield pivotally mounted on said headgear at a point spaced from and in front of the pivotal mounting of said outer shield, a flexible band on which said inner shield is detachably mounted, an arcuate stri on which said band is pivotally mounted, and a sweatband mounted on said arcuate strip and wrapped around a band of said headgear providing mounting means of the said depending inner shield.

8. In a welding helmet comprising an outer shield and headgear upon which the shield is pivotally mounted, a depending inner protecting shield, a curved band on which said inner shield is detachably mounted, said curved band having a plurality of openings in the ends thereof, an arcuate strip on the ends of which said curved band is pivotally mounted through certain of the said openings, and a sweatband removably attached to said arcuate strip and wrapped around a band at the front of said headgear.

9. An auxiliary eye and face shield of the character described, comprising an arcuate strip, elements of detachable fasteners on said strip, a,

7.. complemenfiel elements 01' saicf fasteners on said sweatband, said sweaflband being adapted to be mamtainecfi in wrapped condition abeufi sai'd sfirfp and a; perbion of the headgear 05 a weTdi ng helmet, a curved? band Framing itsends pi-vufiafly'connected tnsaid strip, and a fl'exi- Elesh-ield element depending from said band.

1 9% A weming helmet;- comprising an outer and headgear on which the shield is pivofiall y mounted, ancf an auxiliary eye and face F0 shiefd comprising a; strip, means for securing said strip to the said headgear, and a, flexibleshield erement pivotally mounted adfiacent tothe extnemities of said strip; E. BOWERSa REFERENCES CITED The following references are of recordi in the UNITED STA'IES PATENTS Name Date

1&98 505 Buchanan e e. June 137,, 192% 133303 338 Magee: e May- 5, 1931 2 .153314 Fleming eta-1. Apt. 1 1:, L939 2,238,994. Dockson et a Apr. 22, 1941'. 2,363,461? Huntsman New. 21-, 1944; 

